Sigma Fast 30ishes (35/1.4A, 30/1.4A, 18-35/1.8A)

GateCityRadio · 08-21-2016, 01:21 PM

Okay. So I shoot portraits mostly. I had left pentax for a little while to shoot sony (A7...the FF bug got me) for a year or two and now I'm in the process of building my lens collection back up. I'm very happy with my DA70 and DA*50-135 (I had owned both previously so I knew what I was getting) and I'm looking to add a DA*55 (also previously owned) back into the mix. Now I had owned a Sigma 30/1.4 EX for a very short period of time and I wasn't very happy with how soft it was wide open. So I guess my first question is, is the new 30 art different or just the same lens? Is the 35 worth the extra cost for aps-c? How does the 18-35 fall into the mix? I keep reading about AF issues with all three, but especially with the 18-35, and honestly I really don't need the 18-30 range, or the size of that lens. I like my DA35/2.4 but I really would like something a bit faster to throw the background more OOF. Any suggestions between the three? I did a forum search and found a few threads with the 30vs18-35 but can't find anything discussing the pros and cons all three. Most google searches show these lenses on other branded cameras (which could sway AF performance and such). Thanks!

**THoog** · 08-21-2016, 02:43 PM

Originally posted by GateCityRadio

So I guess my first question is, is the new 30 art different or just the same lens?

It's different, but if you weren't happy with the EX 30, you won't like the Art 30, either. In anything but center-point focus, the Art 30 tends to hunt and frequently give up; it probably should have been badged as a "Contemporary" - it just doesn't have the hyper-corrected, sharp-to-the-edge, no-compromise qualities that the Sigma Art line has come to represent. From what I've heard, you'll either get a 18-35 that focuses correctly, or not at all - not even with center-point focusing. The Art 35 is probably the one to look at - it seems to have less focus problems than the Art 30 or 18-35, and is probably the best of the three, optically.

Paul the Sunman · 08-21-2016, 02:54 PM

My Sigma 35 f/1.4 Art overexposes by a stop or more on my K-3, but is much better behaved on the K-1. Optically, it's excellent, and certainly gives you that shallow DoF when you want it. Recommended. But the Pentax FA 31 should also be considered.

GateCityRadio · 08-21-2016, 03:20 PM

Originally posted by THoog

It's different, but if you weren't happy with the EX 30, you won't like the Art 30, either. In anything but center-point focus, the Art 30 tends to hunt and frequently give up; it probably should have been badged as a "Contemporary" - it just doesn't have the hyper-corrected, sharp-to-the-edge, no-compromise qualities that the Sigma Art line has come to represent. From what I've heard, you'll either get a 18-35 that focuses correctly, or not at all - not even with center-point focusing. The Art 35 is probably the one to look at - it seems to have less focus problems than the Art 30 or 18-35, and is probably the best of the three, optically.

I actually only use the center point focus, I probably should of mentioned that in the OP. So right now it seems to be between the cheaper Art 30 or the optically better Art 35.

Originally posted by Paul the Sunman

My Sigma 35 f/1.4 Art overexposes by a stop or more on my K-3, but is much better behaved on the K-1. Optically, it's excellent, and certainly gives you that shallow DoF when you want it. Recommended. But the Pentax FA 31 should also be considered.

I should of also mentioned I previously owned a FA31. Awesome lens on FF (loved it on film) but I never got along with it much on APS-C. That and its more expensive than the Art 35. If they were to re-release the FA31 with newer coatings and quiet AF I would jump on it

Thanks for the input guys!

Simen1 · 08-21-2016, 03:39 PM

The Sigma 30 have changed significantly from EX to Art. The first one, witch I still have, had a bad reputation for sharpness and AF misses, ut I call those user errors. The problem is that it has a very curved focus plane. If you take images of brick walls, you will find the center in focus and the rest out of focus. If you photograph non-flat objects, like a person, you will find the person in focus and the background out of focus. Just like it should be. Choose focus point with care too. The new Sigma 30 Art have a new optical construction with 9/8 elements/groups where the EX have 7/7. The aperture diaphragm also changed from 8 strait blades to 9 rounded. Length, diameter and the near limit also changed. The Sigma 30 Art got a significantly flatter field and less coma then the EX.

I dont have the Sigma 30 Art, but I have the 18-35 Art. That lens is optically fantastic. Very sharp, almost no coma, fantastic build quality and much more. The downsides are of course weight and price. I dont have the Sigma 35 Art, but that is also quite large and heavy. Not far from as big as the 18-35.

Oh, and when it comes to focusing, both the Sigma 30 EX and 18-35 focuses quite fast. In my case the 18-35 hits focus both fast and without hunting. I see others have problems with it, but I don't. My Sigma 30 Art misses and hunts sometimes. I shoot landscapes and family with both. The 30 have not been uses much since I got the 18-35, despite its size. I recently got the DA35 too, but even with a low price, that was a bummer. I just dont find myself using it. Both the DA35, DA40XS and Sigma 30 EX will be sold. The 18-35 and the DA50 fills my needs in this range.

VoiceOfReason · 08-21-2016, 04:20 PM

If you are planning on going for FF then the Sigma Art 35 would be your only choice. I do have the Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 and I like it. Focus has been spot on for me. Another one to consider is the FA 31ltd if you can live with screw drive. on the K1 it wasn't all that noisy and the photos I took with it over the weekend were sharp wide open.

**bwgv001** · 08-21-2016, 05:04 PM

why not rent any of those lenses that you consider for a few days. This way you can make your own judgment.

Maksim · 08-21-2016, 08:11 PM

just picked up a used EX DC 30 f/1.4 and quite happy with it, at least indoors and the few outdoor shots that I took. There was actually a good article published comparing the old EX to the Art, and the EX came out ahead in a number of categories.

https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2013/04/sigma-30mm-f1-4-dc-hsm-vs-sigma-30mm-f1-4-ex-dc/

**clackers** · 08-21-2016, 08:22 PM

Note that only the 35 has FF coverage.

GateCityRadio · 08-22-2016, 01:46 PM

Thanks for all of the info. I have no immediate plans to go back to FF on digital (I really like my K3). But the idea that the Art35 will be "future proof" if I do decide to is something to think about. Right now I'm between spending less on the 30 or spending a bit more for better optics and FF for the 35.

Paul the Sunman · 08-22-2016, 03:17 PM

If you buy the 35mm Art, and want it to be "future proof" for FF (or even the K-70), make sure its mount has been modified so as not to scratch the body.

Na Horuk · 08-22-2016, 03:52 PM

Think about the Samyang 35mm f1.4. Good quality optics, FF, f1.4, and very affordable compared to the 35mm art.. And the Samyang has no AF problems at all! Well, no AF at all

GateCityRadio · 08-26-2016, 12:20 PM

Decided to get the Sigma art 35, Thanks everyone!

08-21-2016, 01:21 PM	#1
GateCityRadio Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Greensboro,NC Posts: 503	Sigma Fast 30ishes (35/1.4A, 30/1.4A, 18-35/1.8A) Okay. So I shoot portraits mostly. I had left pentax for a little while to shoot sony (A7...the FF bug got me) for a year or two and now I'm in the process of building my lens collection back up. I'm very happy with my DA70 and DA50-135 (I had owned both previously so I knew what I was getting) and I'm looking to add a DA55 (also previously owned) back into the mix. Now I had owned a Sigma 30/1.4 EX for a very short period of time and I wasn't very happy with how soft it was wide open. So I guess my first question is, is the new 30 art different or just the same lens? Is the 35 worth the extra cost for aps-c? How does the 18-35 fall into the mix? I keep reading about AF issues with all three, but especially with the 18-35, and honestly I really don't need the 18-30 range, or the size of that lens. I like my DA35/2.4 but I really would like something a bit faster to throw the background more OOF. Any suggestions between the three? I did a forum search and found a few threads with the 30vs18-35 but can't find anything discussing the pros and cons all three. Most google searches show these lenses on other branded cameras (which could sway AF performance and such). Thanks!

08-22-2016, 03:52 PM	#12
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Think about the Samyang 35mm f1.4. Good quality optics, FF, f1.4, and very affordable compared to the 35mm art.. And the Samyang has no AF problems at all! Well, no AF at all Last edited by Na Horuk; 08-22-2016 at 03:59 PM.

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08-21-2016, 02:43 PM	#2
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,685	Originally posted by GateCityRadio So I guess my first question is, is the new 30 art different or just the same lens? It's different, but if you weren't happy with the EX 30, you won't like the Art 30, either. In anything but center-point focus, the Art 30 tends to hunt and frequently give up; it probably should have been badged as a "Contemporary" - it just doesn't have the hyper-corrected, sharp-to-the-edge, no-compromise qualities that the Sigma Art line has come to represent. From what I've heard, you'll either get a 18-35 that focuses correctly, or not at all - not even with center-point focusing. The Art 35 is probably the one to look at - it seems to have less focus problems than the Art 30 or 18-35, and is probably the best of the three, optically.

08-21-2016, 02:54 PM	#3
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,846	My Sigma 35 f/1.4 Art overexposes by a stop or more on my K-3, but is much better behaved on the K-1. Optically, it's excellent, and certainly gives you that shallow DoF when you want it. Recommended. But the Pentax FA 31 should also be considered.

08-21-2016, 03:20 PM	#4
GateCityRadio Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Greensboro,NC Posts: 503 Original Poster	Originally posted by THoog It's different, but if you weren't happy with the EX 30, you won't like the Art 30, either. In anything but center-point focus, the Art 30 tends to hunt and frequently give up; it probably should have been badged as a "Contemporary" - it just doesn't have the hyper-corrected, sharp-to-the-edge, no-compromise qualities that the Sigma Art line has come to represent. From what I've heard, you'll either get a 18-35 that focuses correctly, or not at all - not even with center-point focusing. The Art 35 is probably the one to look at - it seems to have less focus problems than the Art 30 or 18-35, and is probably the best of the three, optically. I actually only use the center point focus, I probably should of mentioned that in the OP. So right now it seems to be between the cheaper Art 30 or the optically better Art 35. Originally posted by Paul the Sunman My Sigma 35 f/1.4 Art overexposes by a stop or more on my K-3, but is much better behaved on the K-1. Optically, it's excellent, and certainly gives you that shallow DoF when you want it. Recommended. But the Pentax FA 31 should also be considered. I should of also mentioned I previously owned a FA31. Awesome lens on FF (loved it on film) but I never got along with it much on APS-C. That and its more expensive than the Art 35. If they were to re-release the FA31 with newer coatings and quiet AF I would jump on it Thanks for the input guys!

08-21-2016, 03:39 PM	#5
Simen1 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Tromsø, Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 1,031	The Sigma 30 have changed significantly from EX to Art. The first one, witch I still have, had a bad reputation for sharpness and AF misses, ut I call those user errors. The problem is that it has a very curved focus plane. If you take images of brick walls, you will find the center in focus and the rest out of focus. If you photograph non-flat objects, like a person, you will find the person in focus and the background out of focus. Just like it should be. Choose focus point with care too. The new Sigma 30 Art have a new optical construction with 9/8 elements/groups where the EX have 7/7. The aperture diaphragm also changed from 8 strait blades to 9 rounded. Length, diameter and the near limit also changed. The Sigma 30 Art got a significantly flatter field and less coma then the EX. I dont have the Sigma 30 Art, but I have the 18-35 Art. That lens is optically fantastic. Very sharp, almost no coma, fantastic build quality and much more. The downsides are of course weight and price. I dont have the Sigma 35 Art, but that is also quite large and heavy. Not far from as big as the 18-35. Oh, and when it comes to focusing, both the Sigma 30 EX and 18-35 focuses quite fast. In my case the 18-35 hits focus both fast and without hunting. I see others have problems with it, but I don't. My Sigma 30 Art misses and hunts sometimes. I shoot landscapes and family with both. The 30 have not been uses much since I got the 18-35, despite its size. I recently got the DA35 too, but even with a low price, that was a bummer. I just dont find myself using it. Both the DA35, DA40XS and Sigma 30 EX will be sold. The 18-35 and the DA50 fills my needs in this range.

08-21-2016, 04:20 PM	#6
VoiceOfReason Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mishawaka IN area Photos: Albums Posts: 6,124	If you are planning on going for FF then the Sigma Art 35 would be your only choice. I do have the Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 and I like it. Focus has been spot on for me. Another one to consider is the FA 31ltd if you can live with screw drive. on the K1 it wasn't all that noisy and the photos I took with it over the weekend were sharp wide open.

08-21-2016, 05:04 PM	#7
bwgv001 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Alabama Photos: Gallery Posts: 697	why not rent any of those lenses that you consider for a few days. This way you can make your own judgment.

08-21-2016, 08:11 PM	#8
Maksim Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 80	just picked up a used EX DC 30 f/1.4 and quite happy with it, at least indoors and the few outdoor shots that I took. There was actually a good article published comparing the old EX to the Art, and the EX came out ahead in a number of categories. https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2013/04/sigma-30mm-f1-4-dc-hsm-vs-sigma-30mm-f1-4-ex-dc/

08-21-2016, 08:22 PM	#9
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Note that only the 35 has FF coverage.

08-22-2016, 01:46 PM	#10
GateCityRadio Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Greensboro,NC Posts: 503 Original Poster	Thanks for all of the info. I have no immediate plans to go back to FF on digital (I really like my K3). But the idea that the Art35 will be "future proof" if I do decide to is something to think about. Right now I'm between spending less on the 30 or spending a bit more for better optics and FF for the 35.

08-22-2016, 03:17 PM	#11
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,846	If you buy the 35mm Art, and want it to be "future proof" for FF (or even the K-70), make sure its mount has been modified so as not to scratch the body.

08-26-2016, 12:20 PM	#13
GateCityRadio Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Greensboro,NC Posts: 503 Original Poster	Decided to get the Sigma art 35, Thanks everyone!